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Legislative Assembly ALTHINGI | 150 REYKJAVÍK | TEL. (+354) 563 0500 | FAX (+354) 563 0550 | WWW.ALTHINGI.IS ALTHINGI Contents Parliament and Democracy . 4 Political parties . 5 The History of Althingi . 6 Royal rule . 7 Legislative assembly . 9 Voting rights and number of Members . 10 Elections to Althingi . 12 Constituencies . 13 The Role of Althingi . 14 Parliamentary Procedure . 14 Opening and adjournment . 15 The parliament chamber . 15 The Speaker . 16 Sessions of Althingi . 17 Parliamentary debate . 17 Voting . 18 Party groups . 18 The process of a parliamentary Bill . 18 Standing committees . 20 Committee procedures . 20 Election to committees . 21 International organisations . 22 The Althingi Administration . 23 Parliament House . 24 Inaugural ceremony . 24 The building . 25 Parliament Garden . 25 Institutions of Althingi . 26 National Audit Bureau . 26 Parliamentary Ombudsman . 26 Jón Sigurdsson House . 26 Information on Althingi . 27 Visits to Parliament House . 27 School Parliament . 27 3 Parliament and Democracy he Constitution of the Republic of Iceland is based on the principle that power Toriginates with the people, who assign that power to their elected representatives . This system is termed representative democracy . Every fourth year the electors choose, by secret ballot, 63 representatives to sit in parliament . These Members of Althingi jointly hold legislative powers, and also fiscal powers, i .e . the power to make decisions on public spending and taxation . It is important that the people should know what decisions are made in parliament, and how they are made, as the electorate and their representatives are responsible for maintaining democracy in action . The right to vote The public gallery is open when may be said to be the basis of democracy in Iceland, and Althingi is its cornerstone . Althingi is sitting, providing an Other features of the democratic system are e .g . that the Government is answerable opportunity to observe to parliament for its actions, and its work is monitored by parliament . Iceland is gov- parliamentary business. erned by rule of law; the judiciary is autonomous, and the courts are to judge solely on the basis of law, and are not subject to any authority of the executive branch . Those who hold executive power are without exception to comply with the law, and they are bound by the law . Constitutional provisions on freedom of opinion, free expression, and rights of asso- ciation and assembly are also clear indicators of the democratic system . These factors are in fact necessary to democracy, so that the citizens of the nation are guaranteed the right to participate in national affairs . Decisions made in parliament have an impact upon the daily lives of all Icelanders . The aim of publishing this information booklet on Althingi is to explain parliament’s organisation, work and history . The booklet should be helpful to all who want to know more about Althingi . Icelandic history and nature come together at Thingvellir, which provides a unique view of geological history, along with a remarkable natural environment. The foundation of Althingi (parliament) at Thingvellir in AD 930 marked the beginning of the old Icelandic Commonwealth. Althingi continued to meet at Thingvellir until 1798. 4 After the general election of 2009, five parties are represented in Althingi: the Citizens’ Movement (subsequently the Movement), Independence Party, Left-Green Movement, Progressive Party and the Social Democratic Alliance. Political parties Political parties constitute a link between parliament and the electorate . Parties come into being when a group of people decide to join forces in order to influence society by gaining election of the members to parliament and by participation in government . In their manifestos, parties explain which issues they regard as important; these manifestos clarify differences in their ideologies . Participation in party activities is one of the public’s main means of influencing policy . One of the principles of democracy is that members of the general public influ- ence social development, and have a real possibility of making their ideas and views known . The role of the media is to disseminate information on important issues to the pub- lic, including information on political parties and politicians . The Icelandic citizen’s right to free expression, the right of association and the right of assembly are established in the Constitution . The Constitution overrides other legis- lation, and serves to safeguard democracy . How can you have influence? By participation in the work of a political party . By participation in the work of trade unions and other organisations . By participation in non-government organisations in a sphere which is important to you . By speaking to Members of Althingi, local councillors and others in responsible positions in society . By writing in the media, and by giving tips to journalists . 5 The History of Althingi lthingi is the nation’s oldest institution, and the highest . Its foundation at AThingvellir (Parliament Plains) in 930 AD marks the birth of the Icelandic nation . Althingi was an assembly of the nation, where the leading chieftains met to discuss various matters . Althingi passed legislation and dispensed justice . Althingi assembled around the middle of June for a session of about two weeks, and all free and law-abid- ing citizens could attend . Those attending the assembly dwelt in temporary camps known as búdir during the session . Sanctuary during the session was intended to ensure freedom to observe the proceedings . Althingi was well-attended, as it was the centre of power and interaction . Lögrétta (the Law Council) was at the heart of Althingi’s proceedings . The Council ruled on legal disputes, enacted new legislation, and granted exemptions from law . Lögrétta comprised chieftains (godar), and in due course bishops . They were accompa- nied by non-voting advisers . Decisions were made by simple majority . After the country was divided into four quarters around 965 AD, quarter courts (fjórdungsdómar) were established at Althingi, one for each quarter . Each comprised 36 judges; for a valid verdict, 31 had to be in agreement . A fifth court (fimmtardómur) was established early in the 11th century, which served as an appeals court of sorts . It comprised 48 judges appointed by the godar of Lögrétta, and reached its verdicts by simple majority . The Icelanders celebrate major national occasions at Thingvellir. In 1874 the millennium of the settlement of Iceland was celebrated, and in 1974 the 1100th anniversary. The millennium of the foundation of Althingi was marked in 1930 (right). The modern Republic of Iceland was founded at Thingvellir in 1944, and the 50th anniversary of that occasion was marked in 1994. In the summer of 2000 the millennium of Iceland’s adoption of Christianity was celebrated. Timeline 930-1800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 930 Althingi founded 1000 Adoption of 1122-33 Book of Ice- 1262 Icelanders swear 1397 Formation of 965 Quarter Court Christianity landers written fealty to the King of Kalmar Union under founded 1005 Fifth Court Norway one King in Denmark founded 1271 Járnsída law code 1281 Jónsbók law code 6 The Law Speaker (lögsögumadur) was the highest official of Althingi . His role included reciting the laws of Iceland at Althingi, in the days before Iceland had a written language . He recited the laws of parliamentary procedure, chaired sessions of Lögrétta, and settled disputes . The Law Speaker is believed to have addressed the assembly from the Law Rock (Lögberg), which appears to have been where verdicts were announced, important speeches made, and where the assembly was formally opened and dissolved . Much remains unclear about the assembly and the role of the Law Speaker; the Old Commonwealth was a time of change in Icelandic society, and disputes over power and religion made their mark on society and on the work of Althingi . The Book of Icelanders (Íslendingabók), written in 1122-33, is one of the most important historical sources on the foundation of Althingi . Royal rule Icelandic chieftains submitted to the authority of the Norwegian king in 1262 after nearly 20 years of civil war . Peace was established, and the royal authorities introduced a new system of government by the enactment of new law codes: Járnsída (Ironside) in 1271 and Jónsbók (Jón’s Book) in 1281 . The legal codes were drawn up on the king’s initiative and accepted by Althingi . Althingi continued to convene at Thingvellir, but in a new form . Lögrétta now com- prised 36 members, nominated by regional sheriffs, and the Law Speaker was replaced by two Law Men . Lögrétta became primarily a court of law, to which cases from the regions could be appealed . Its rulings in turn could be appealed to the king . One Law Man was appointed to the south, the other to the north, and hence Lögrétta as a law court was divided into two divisions, over which the two Law Men presided . Lögrétta could also enact legislation, but this was subject to royal consent . New royal legislation and decrees were generally submitted to Lögrétta before being introduced . The hearing of court cases became the central function of Althingi, and over time it ceased to enact new law . From 1271 Althingi convened on 29 June for three or four days, although occasion- Jón Sigurdsson (1811-79) was the ally longer . By the middle of the 17th century sessions might last up to two weeks . After leader of the Icelanders’ campaign for 1701 Althingi was scheduled to commence on 8 July and sit for two weeks, or longer if independence in its first phase. His necessary . Sessions of Althingi at Thingvellir came to an end in 1798 . work yielded fruit in the first In 1799 and 1800, Lögrétta alone convened at Hólavellir School in Reykjavík . constitution, issued in 1874. His Under a royal decree of 6 June, 1800 Althingi was abolished, and superseded by a High memory was honoured by the Court . Comprising three men, the High Court assembled in Reykjavík .
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